Lighting help please

[lauder]

Sorry I may have posted this elsewhere but think this is the right place now.

I have just moved and need to replace the hallway lightswitches. Some of them control the upstairs and downstairs lights. I do not know which new switches to buy - I can take photos of the wiring of each switch - does anyone know of a website where I can compare pictures so I can identify which switches to buy? thanks in advance

 

[breezer]

you want g x 2 way

where g is the number of switches

so if its just 2 "buttons" you want 2 gang 2 way

if its 3 buttons you want 3 gang 2 way

take pictures of the wires before you take switches off, and lable each wire as to where it goes, this will save you absolute grief

then before you remove them (turn mainss off) check the drawing you just made again

 

[Cremeegg]

You will need two way switches and possibly intermediate switches as well depending on the exact layout of your hallway and landing(s). Most common lightswitches are available either as one way or two way; or they are made to be operated as either depending on what you need.

Wiring diagrams for these and intermediates are in the Wiki.

As for websites - try posting pictures on here of what you've got so we can help out.

 

[JohnD]

A photo of the wires will not be enough, because there will probably be several in the same colours.

Use a permanent marker or bits of tape to identify each wire.

If you don't, you will be a long time sorting it out.

Lighting Circuit Warning: On no account take more than one switch or one ceiling rose off at a time. Do not start the next one until you have finished the first and everything works properly, including the lamps in all the other rooms that you think you haven't affected.

If you don't believe me, send me £10 and I will give you links to some of the people who got it wrong.